Moldable hand grips for firearms

ABSTRACT

Disclosed are various embodiments of holders configured to couple to moldable hand grips for firearms and at least partially submerge the hand grips in heated water baths. According to various embodiments, a holder can include a non-moldable body that is configured to couple to a moldable hand grip. The holder can further include a non-moldable user handle extending from the body.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of, and claims priority to,U.S. application Ser. No. 16/191,946, entitled “MOLDABLE HANDGRIPS FORFIREARMS” and filed Nov. 15, 2018, which is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

Firearms, such as pistols, revolvers, rifles, and shotguns, often havehand grips that extend from the body of the firearm. The hand grip canbe used to hold, carry, position, and stabilize the firearm. Theconventional AR-15 rifle, for example, has what is often referred to asa “pistol grip” attached to the lower receiver of the rifle that theuser can grab and use to hold and support the firearm. For somefirearms, such as semiautomatic pistols, the hand grip can also serve asthe structure of the firearm that receives and retains a magazine.

Hand grips for firearms are often constructed of rigid materials, suchas metal, wood, or nylon-based polymers. While hand grips are oftenshaped by the manufacturer to generally accommodate a human hand, a handgrip may not fit comfortably or properly in an individual user's handdue to the fact that the size and shape of a hand can vary from personto person.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the present disclosure can be better understood withreference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings arenot necessarily to scale, with emphasis instead being placed uponclearly illustrating the principles of the disclosure. Moreover, in thedrawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding partsthroughout the several views.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a firearm having a hand grip according tovarious embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of the hand grip of the firearm of FIG.1 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2B shows a side cross-sectional view of the hand grip of thefirearm of FIG. 1 according to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 2C shows a front view of the hand grip of the firearm of FIG. 1according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3A shows a perspective view of the frame of the hand grip of thefirearm of FIG. 1 according to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 3B shows a side view of the frame of the hand grip of the firearmof FIG. 1 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3C shows a front view of the frame of the hand grip of the firearmof FIG. 1 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 4-5 depict an example of a user molding the hand grip of thefirearm of FIG. 1 according to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 6 depicts an example of a holder for the hand grip of the firearmof FIG. 1 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 depicts an example of the holder of FIG. 6 mated to the hand gripof the firearm of FIG. 1 according to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates to moldable hand grips for firearms, suchbut not limited to pistols, revolvers, rifles, and shotguns. Asdescribed in further detail below, various hand grips of the presentdisclosure can include a non-moldable frame and a heat-moldable gripportion. The hand grip can be submerged at least partially in a waterbath in which the water has been heated to a temperature sufficient tocause the heat-moldable grip portion of the hand grip to transition to amoldable state.

After the heat-moldable grip portion of the hand grip transitions to themoldable state, the hand grip can be removed from the heated water bath,and the user can grab the hand grip to mold the heat-moldable gripportion to conform to his or her individual hand shape. Thereafter, thehand grip can be allowed to cool, causing the heat-moldable grip portionof the hand grip to return to a non-moldable state, resulting in a handgrip that conforms to the shape of the individual user's hand.Accordingly, hand grips in accordance with the present disclosure canprovide the ability for a user to create a hand grip that has beencustom fit to his or her hand.

With reference to FIG. 1, shown is a partially-exploded view of anexample of a firearm 100 having a hand grip 103 according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure. In particular, FIG. 1 shows aview of the hand grip 103 separated from the body 106 of the firearm100.

The firearm 100 shown in FIG. 1 is an example of an AR-15 style rifle.However, the firearm 100 in other embodiments of the present disclosurecan be embodied in the form of various other types of firearms. Forexample, the firearm 100 can be embodied in the form of any type ofpistol, revolver, rifle, or shotgun.

The hand grip 103 can be an appendage that extends from the body 106 ofthe firearm 100. The hand grip 103 can be used to hold, carry, position,and stabilize the firearm. In some embodiments, the hand grip 103 can beintegrally molded with the body 106 of the firearm 100. For example, thehand grip 103 can be integrally molded with the body of a pistol.Alternatively, the hand grip 103 can be separable from the body 106 ofthe firearm 100, as depicted in FIG. 1.

For the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the hand grip 103 is embodied in theform of an AR-15 pistol grip, which attaches to lower receiver 109 ofthe firearm 100. In alterative embodiments, the hand grip 103 can beembodied as a fore grip, for example, which can attach to a handguard113 or other structure of the body 106 of the firearm 100. Moreover, inother embodiments, such as those in which the firearm 100 is embodied inthe form of a semi-automatic pistol, the hand grip 103 can be astructure that receives and retains a magazine that stores and feedsammunition.

With reference to FIGS. 2A-2C, shown are views of the hand grip 103according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. Inparticular, FIG. 2A shows a perspective view, FIG. 2B shows a side view,and FIG. 2C shows a front view of the hand grip 103. As shown in FIGS.2A-2C, the hand grip 103 can include a frame 203 and a heat-moldablegrip portion 206.

The frame 203 can be a portion of the hand grip 103 that providesstructural support and rigidity for the hand grip 103. The frame 203 canalso provide a surface on which the heat-moldable grip portion 206 isdisposed. According to various embodiments, the materials used forconstructing the hand grip 103 can be chosen such that the shape of theframe 203 is fixed and non-moldable once the hand grip 103 has beenfabricated by the manufacturer. As non-limiting examples, the frame 203can be constructed of various types of metal, wood, plastic (e.g., athermosetting polymer), or any other suitable material that can resultin the shape of the frame 203 being non-moldable once fabricated.

As will be described in further detail below, the heat-moldable gripportion 206 of the hand grip 103 can transition into a moldable statewhen sufficiently heated. As such, to maintain the shape of the frame203 while the heat-moldable grip portion 206 of the hand grip 103 is inthe moldable state, the frame 203 can be constructed of a material thatdoes not become moldable within or near the temperature range that thatheat-moldable grip portion 206 becomes moldable. Accordingly, forembodiments in which the heat-moldable grip portion 206 transitions to amoldable state when submerged in a water bath heated to a temperaturebetween about 150° F. to about 212° F., the material used for the frame203 can be chosen such that it does not become moldable at temperaturesbelow, for example, about 350° F.

The heat-moldable grip portion 206 can be a portion of the hand grip 103that the user can shape to conform to his or her own individual hand. Tothis end, the heat-moldable grip portion 206 can be constructed of aheat-moldable material, such as a heat-moldable plastic. As previouslymentioned, in some embodiments, the hand grip 103 can be at leastpartially submerged in a water bath heated to a temperature betweenabout 150° F. to about 212° F. in order to cause the heat-moldable gripportion 206 to enter a moldable state. In such embodiments, theheat-moldable grip portion 206 can be constructed of a heat-moldableplastic designed to be in a moldable state when heated to a temperaturebetween about 150° F. to about 212° F.

In some embodiments, the heat-moldable grip portion 206 can be embodiedin the form of a single continuous sleeve that is disposed on andcircumscribes the frame 203. In alternative embodiments, theheat-moldable grip portion 206 can comprise multiple separate segmentsdisposed on the frame 203. In one such example, the heat-moldable gripportion 206 can comprise a front panel on the front portion of the frame203 and separate and distinct rear panel disposed on the rear portion ofthe frame 203. In another example, the heat-moldable grip portion 206can comprise multiple side panels disposed on the sides of the frame203. Moreover, some embodiments of the heat-moldable grip portion 206can comprise a front panel, rear panel, and side panels that aredisposed on respective portions of the frame 203.

For embodiments in which the heat-moldable grip portion 206 comprisesmultiple segments disposed on the frame 203, the respective segments canbe disposed on strategic locations of the frame 203 to facilitate a usermolding the hand grip 103 to conform to his or her individual hand. Forexample, segments of the heat-moldable grip portion 206 can be limitedto locations where the user's fingers or palm would contact the handgrip 103 when aiming the firearm 100. In embodiments in which theheat-moldable grip portion 206 comprises multiple separate and distinctsegments, the frame 203 can be shaped such that it includescorresponding recessed areas in which the respective segments of theheat-moldable grip portion 206 are disposed.

In some embodiments, the heat-moldable grip portion 206 and/or frame 203can comprise various types of physical structures, such as prongs ortabs, that can mate with corresponding receiving structures, such asreceptacles or sockets, that can prevent the heat-moldable grip portion206 from separating from the frame 203. For example, the heat-moldablegrip portion 206 can include one or more prongs that insert into and areretained by corresponding receptacles in the frame 203. Similarly, theframe 203 can include one or more prongs that insert into and areretained by corresponding receptacles in the heat-moldable grip portion206. Moreover, adhesive or fasteners can be used to prevent theheat-moldable grip portion 206 separating from the frame 203.

The thickness of the heat-moldable grip portion 206 can vary atdifferent locations across the heat-moldable grip portion 206. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 2B, the thickness of the heat-moldable gripportion 206 generally increases from point 209 to point 213. Moreover,as shown in FIG. 2B, the thickness of the heat-moldable grip portion 206at the point 216 is thicker than other locations on the rear of the handgrip 103.

In some embodiments, the heat-moldable grip portion 206 can comprisestructures that improve the friction characteristics of the hand grip103 when being held by a user. For example, the heat-moldable gripportion 206 can comprise, bumps, ridges, stippling, or other featuresthat can improve the friction characteristics of the hand grip 103

With reference to FIGS. 3A-3C, shown are various views of the frame 203according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. Inparticular, FIG. 3A shows a perspective view, FIG. 3B shows a side view,and FIG. 3C shows a front view of the frame 203.

The frame 203 according to various embodiments can comprise a core 303,a lower rim 306, an upper rim 309, and a lower receiver mating structure313, as shown in FIGS. 3A-3C. The lower receiver mating structure 313can mate with a corresponding structure of the lower receiver 109 of thefirearm 100 to facilitate attachment of the hand grip 103 with the body106 of the firearm 100. The frame 203 in FIGS. 3A-3C also includes abeaver tail 316.

As shown in FIGS. 3A-3C, the core can extend from the upper rim 309 tothe lower rim 306. Moreover, as depicted in FIGS. 3A-3C, the core 303can be tapered such that the width of the portion of the core 303proximate to the lower rim 306 can be greater than the width of theportion of the core 303 proximate to the upper rim 309. For theembodiment depicted in FIGS. 3A-3C, the heat-moldable grip portion 206can circumscribe the entire core 303 such that it is covered by theheat-moldable grip portion 206.

The upper rim 309 can protrude from the upper end of the core 303 of theframe 203, and the lower rim 306 can protrude from the lower end of thecore 303 of the frame 203. When the heat-moldable grip portion 206 isdisposed on the frame 203, the upper rim 309 can be adjacent to theupper end of the heat-moldable grip portion 206, and the lower rim 306can be adjacent to the lower end of the heat-moldable grip portion 206.The upper rim 309 and lower rim 306 can function as barriers for theheat-moldable grip portion 206 when the heat-moldable grip portion 206is being molded by a user. In this sense, the upper rim 309 and lowerrim 306 can limit the extent to which the heat-moldable grip portion 206can move when the heat-moldable grip portion 206 is in the moldablestate and being molded by a user. The upper rim 309 and lower rim 306can also maintain the heat-moldable grip portion 206 in its intendedposition when the hand grip 103 is in use.

Next, a description of an example of the hand grip 103 being molded by auser is provided. The following discussion assumes that the hand grip103 is separate from the body 106 of the firearm 100. However, inalternative embodiments, such as those in which the hand grip 103 isintegrally molded with a handgun, the hand grip 103 can be molded by theuser while the hand grip 103 is attached to the body 106 of the firearm100.

To begin, the user can heat a bath of water to a temperature that issufficient to cause the heat-moldable grip portion 206 of the hand grip103 to enter a moldable state. For embodiments in which theheat-moldable grip portion 206 is in a moldable state when itstemperature is between about 150° F. to about 212° F., a user can, forexample, heat a pot of water until it begins boiling and then remove thepot from the heat source.

While the water bath is at a temperature sufficient to cause theheat-moldable grip portion 206 of the hand grip 103 to transition to themoldable state, the user can at least partially submerge the hand grip103 in the water bath. For example, a user can use the holder shown inFIGS. 6-7 or tongs to place the hand grip 103 in the water bath.

Once the hand grip 103 has been at least partially submerged in thewater bath, the hand grip 103 can remain in the water bath until thetemperature of the hand grip 103 has been raised to a temperaturesufficient to cause the heat-moldable grip portion 206 to transition tothe moldable state. For example, in one embodiment, the heat-moldablegrip portion 206 can transition to the moldable state after the handgrip 103 has remained in a heated water bath having a temperaturebetween about 150° F. to about 212° F. for about 90 seconds.

Once the heat-moldable grip portion 206 of the hand grip 103 hastransitioned to a moldable state, the user can remove the hand grip 103from the water bath and allow the hand grip 103 to cool to a temperaturethat allows the user to comfortably grab the hand grip 103 while highenough to maintain the heat-moldable grip portion 206 in the moldablestate. For example, in some embodiments, the hand grip 103 can belowered to a comfortable temperature by running cool tap water over thehand grip 103 for about two seconds.

Thereafter, the user can firmly grab and hold the hand grip 103 in aposition that simulates the user holding and aiming the firearm 100. Forexample, FIG. 4 shows an example of a user's hand 403 grabbing andholding the hand grip 103 with the palm and fingers in a position thatsimulates the user holding and aiming the firearm 100. The user canmaintain the position shown in FIG. 4 for a time sufficient to allow thehand grip 103 to cool to a temperature at which the heat-moldable gripportion 206 is not moldable. For example, in some embodiments, the usercan grab and hold the hand grip 103 for about 20 seconds to allow theheat-moldable grip portion 206 to cool to such a temperature. After thehand grip 103 has cooled to a temperature at which the heat-moldablegrip portion 206 is not moldable, the user can release the hand grip103.

With reference to FIG. 5, shown is an example of the hand grip 103 afterthe user has shaped the heat-moldable grip portion 206 of the hand grip103 using the techniques described above. As shown in FIG. 5, the userhas shaped the heat-moldable grip portion 206 to create recessed areas503 a-503 d so that the hand grip 103 conforms to his or her individualhand shape. Accordingly, the techniques described herein can be used toprovide a hand grip 103 that a user can custom fit to his or herindividual hand.

With reference to FIG. 6, shown is an example of a holder 600 that canfacilitate the process of shaping the heat-moldable grip portion 206 ofthe hand grip 103 using the techniques described above. As shown in FIG.6, the holder 600 can include a holder body 603 and a handle 606. Thehandle 606 can extend from the holder body 603 and be held by a userwhen submerging the hand grip 103 in a heated water bath and/or removingthe hand grip 103 from the heated water bath.

The holder body 603 can include a curved portion 609, a hand grip matingstructure 613, a water level indicator 616, and a beaver tail portion619. The curved portion 609 of the holder body 609 can simulate theshape and location of the trigger of the firearm 100 when the hand grip103 would be attached to the firearm 100. The hand grip mating structure613 can be designed such that the lower receiver mating structure 313 ofthe hand grip 103 can attach to and be retained by the hand grip matingstructure 613. To this end, in some embodiments, the hand grip matingstructure 613 can have the same structure of the portion of the lowerreceiver 109 that mates with the hand grip 103.

The water level indicator 616 can be used to facilitate a user providinga sufficient amount of water in the container for the heated water bath.For example, when the holder 600 is attached to the hand grip 103, theuser can place the hand grip 103 in an empty water container and addwater to the container until the water level reaches the water levelindicator 616. By filling the container with water to the level of thewater level indicator 616, the user can ensure that sufficient waterwill be present in the container for the heated water bath.

The holder 600 can be constructed of a material that does not becomemoldable within or near the temperature range that that heat-moldablegrip portion 206 of the hand grip 103 becomes moldable. In someembodiments, the holder 600 can be constructed of the same material usedfor the frame 203 of the hand grip 103. By using a material that doesnot become moldable within or near the temperature range that thatheat-moldable grip portion 206 of the hand grip 103 becomes moldable,the holder 600 can maintain its shape when being used to submerge thehand grip 103 in a heated water bath.

With reference to FIG. 7, shown is the holder 600 attached to the handgrip 103. Once the holder 600 is attached to the hand grip 103, a usercan grab the handle 606 of the holder 600 and submerge the hand grip 103in a heated water bath. Once the heat-moldable grip portion 206 of thehand grip 103 transitions to the moldable state, the user can remove thehand grip 103 from the heated water bath using the handle 606. While theheat-moldable grip portion 206 is still in the moldable state, the usercan grasp the hand grip 103 and mold it to the shape of his or her hand,as discussed above. Moreover, because the curved portion 609 of theholder body 609 can simulate the shape and location of the trigger ofthe firearm 100, the holder 600 can facilitate the user molding the handgrip 103 to a shape that is appropriate for when the user is holding thefirearm 100 in a firing position.

Conditional language used herein, such as the words and phrases “can,”“could,” “might,” “may,” “e.g.,” and the like, unless specificallystated or indicated otherwise, is generally intended to convey thatcertain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include,certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional languageis not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or stepsare in any way required for one or more embodiments. The terms“comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like are synonymous and areused inclusively, in an open-ended fashion, and do not excludeadditional elements, features, acts, operations, and so forth. Also, theterm “or” is used in its inclusive sense, and not in its exclusivesense, so that when used, for example, to connect a list of elements,the term “or” means one, some, or all of the elements in the list.

Disjunctive language, such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, Z,”unless indicated otherwise, is used in general to present that an item,term, etc., may be either X, Y, or Z, or any combination thereof (e.g.,X, Y, and/or Z). Thus, such disjunctive language is not generallyintended to, and should not, imply that certain embodiments require atleast one of X, at least one of Y, or at least one of Z to each bepresent.

Numerical ranges described herein are used for convenience and brevity,and thus, should be interpreted in a flexible manner to include not onlythe numerical values explicitly recited as the limits of the range, butalso to include all the individual numerical values or sub-rangesencompassed within that range as if each numerical value and sub-rangeis explicitly recited. To illustrate, a numerical range of “about 0.1%to about 5%” should be interpreted to include not only the explicitlyrecited values of about 0.1% to about 5%, but also include individualvalues (e.g., 1%, 2%, 3%, and 4%) and the sub-ranges (e.g., 0.5%, 1.1%,2.2%, 3.3%, and 4.4%) within the indicated range. Where the stated rangeincludes one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either or both ofthose included limits are also included in the disclosure. For example,the phrase “x to y” includes the range from “x” to “y” as well as therange greater than “x” and less than “y.” The range can also beexpressed as an upper limit. For example, “about x, y, z, or less” andshould be interpreted to include the specific ranges of “about x,”“about y,” and “about z,” as well as the ranges of “less than x,” “lessthan y,” and “less than z.” Likewise, the phrase “about x, y, z, orgreater” should be interpreted to include the specific ranges of “aboutx,” “about y,” and “about z,” as well as the ranges of “greater than x,”“greater than y,” and “greater than z.” In some embodiments, the term“about” can include traditional rounding according to significantfigures of the numerical value. In addition, the phrase “about ‘x’ to‘y’”, where ‘x’ and ‘y’ are numerical values, includes “about ‘x’ toabout ‘y’”.

The above-described embodiments of the present disclosure are merelyexamples of implementations to provide a clear understanding of theprinciples of the present disclosure. Many variations and modificationscan be made to the above-described embodiments without departingsubstantially from the spirit and principles of the disclosure. Inaddition, components and features described with respect to oneembodiment can be included in another embodiment. All such modificationsand variations are intended to be included herein within the scope ofthis disclosure.

Therefore, the following is claimed:
 1. An apparatus, comprising: afirearm hand grip holder configured to couple to a moldable firearm handgrip and at least partially submerge the moldable firearm hand grip in aheated water bath, the firearm hand grip holder comprising: a body thatis configured to couple to the moldable firearm hand grip, the bodycomprising a trigger-shaped recess; and a user handle extending from thebody.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body of the firearm handgrip holder further comprises a water level indicator.
 3. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the body of the firearm hand grip holder furthercomprises a beaver tail portion.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, whereinthe beaver tail portion of the body of the firearm hand grip holder isconfigured to align with a beaver tail of the moldable firearm handgrip.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body is furtherconfigured to couple to the moldable firearm hand grip by at leastcontacting an internal portion of the moldable firearm hand grip.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the body is furtherconfigured to insert into an internal groove in the moldable firearmhand grip.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the firearm hand gripholder is constructed of a material that does not become moldable whenbeing used to at least partially submerge the moldable firearm handgrip.
 8. A method, comprising: coupling a firearm hand grip holder to amoldable firearm hand grip; heating a water bath; submerging at least aportion of the moldable firearm hand grip in the water bath while thefirearm hand grip holder is coupled to the moldable firearm hand grip;removing the moldable firearm hand grip from the water bath after aheat-moldable grip portion of the moldable firearm hand grip transitionsto a moldable state; after removing the moldable firearm hand grip fromthe water bath, molding the heat-moldable grip portion to conform to atleast a portion of a human hand by at least placing a finger on atrigger-shaped recess of the firearm hand grip holder; and cooling themoldable firearm hand grip so that the heat-moldable grip portiontransitions to a non-moldable state.
 9. The method of claim 8, whereinmolding the heat-moldable grip portion comprises simultaneously grabbingthe firearm hand grip holder and the moldable firearm hand grip.
 10. Themethod of claim 8, further comprising holding the firearm hand gripholder by a handle of the firearm hand grip holder while submerging atleast a portion of the moldable firearm hand grip in the water bath. 11.The method of claim 8, wherein coupling the firearm hand grip holder tothe moldable firearm hand grip further comprises aligning a beaver tailportion of the firearm hand grip holder with a beaver tail of themoldable firearm hand grip.
 12. The method of claim 8, wherein couplingthe firearm hand grip holder to the moldable firearm hand grip furthercomprises inserting a portion of the firearm hand grip holder into aninternal groove in the moldable firearm hand grip.
 13. A system,comprising: a hand grip for a firearm, the hand grip being configured tobe submerged at least partially in a heated water bath, the hand gripcomprising: a frame that maintains an existing shape when the hand gripis submerged at least partially in the heated water bath; and aheat-moldable grip portion disposed on the frame, the heat-moldable gripportion being configured to transition to a moldable state in responseto the hand grip being submerged at least partially in the heated waterbath; and a holder for the hand grip, the holder comprising: a bodyconfigured to couple to the hand grip, the body comprising atrigger-shaped recess; and a handle extending from the body.
 14. Thesystem of claim 13, wherein the frame of the hand grip further comprisesan internal groove, and wherein at least a portion of the body of theholder for the hand grip is further configured to insert into theinternal groove.
 15. The system of claim 13, wherein the frame of thehand grip further comprises a beaver tail, and wherein the holder forthe hand grip further comprises a portion that is configured to alignwith the beaver tail.
 16. The system of claim 13, wherein the holder forthe hand grip further comprises a water level indicator.
 17. The systemof claim 13, wherein the body of the holder is further configured tocouple to an internal portion of the hand grip.
 18. The system of claim13, wherein at least a portion of the body of the holder is configuredto insert into a groove of the hand grip.